Former head coach Marshall Hahn led Bayfield High School to a state championship in 1996 as its quarterback, then led the Wolverines to a runner-up result last year as head coach. This year, Hahn left for Arkansas, and BHS hired Gary Heide to lead the perenially tough high school football program.

Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file photo

Former head coach Marshall Hahn led Bayfield High School to a state championship in 1996 as its quarterback, then led the Wolverines to a runner-up result last year as head coach. This year, Hahn left for Arkansas, and BHS hired Gary Heide to lead the perenially tough high school football program.

BAYFIELD

There’s more than a new coach and a new season for Bayfield High School football.

There’s also a brand new league.

The Wolverines, Class 2A in football, will be led this season by first-year head coach Gary Heide, who most recently was an assistant coach at West Grand High School in Kremmling.

The Wolverines also will step into the new Western League this season.

As a result of statewide restructuring among the Class 2A football schools, Bayfield will be part of the eight-team conference that includes one familiar Intermountain League rival – Pagosa Springs.

Before they get to league play, the Wolverines will host Kirtland Central at 7 p.m. today in an interstate opener at Wolverine Country Stadium.

“I think everyone needs a Friday-night football game,” Heide said. “It’s that time of year.”

He said the Wolverines are eager to test themselves against another opponent.

“We’re excited. We went to Durango (last weekend) for a scrimmage. And we had some mental errors,” Heide said.

He said the Wolverines have improved this week in practice.

“I was impressed because we didn’t put the ball on the ground,” said Heide, who has coached in Colorado and Minnesota for nearly 20 years. He said the Wolverines will benefit from an experienced offensive line that returns four of five starters.

“That’s huge. That’s one of our strengths,” Heide said of the foursome of experienced offensive linemen: Austin McMenimen, Nate Goddard, Kevin Donahue and Jon Roberts. Sophomore Blaine Barnes will step into the center position this year.

Another sophomore, Matt Knickerbocker, will start at quarterback in Bayfield’s triple option. He was a starting wide receiver last year as a freshman.

“We’re still looking at spreading the field and getting to the second option,” Heide said. “But we’re working on it.”

He said the Bayfield defense, led by first-year defensive coordinator Shawn Tucker, will bring an aggressive, attacking brand of football.

“His defense will be very aggressive ... but it’s still a work in progress,” Heide said.

Bayfield will have one more nonleague game – Sept. 7 at Dolores – before starting conference play Sept. 14 at Basalt.

The Wolverines will host Aspen, Coal Ridge and Gunnison, and they’ll play conference road games at Basalt, Grand Valley, Olathe and Pagosa Springs.

Olathe, with 27 wins in its last 28 conference games, won state championships in 2008 and 2010.

The annual Pagosa Springs rivalry game against Bayfield on Oct. 26 will wrap up the regular season.

Three teams from the eight-team league will qualify for the Class 2A stage playoffs. Three additional Class 2A teams will enter the playoffs as wild-card teams based on power points.

Heide takes over for Marshall Hahn, the former BHS head coach who moved to Rogers High School in northwest Arkansas over the summer. Hahn and the Wolverines went 12-1 last year, losing their only game in the state championship matchup.

Heide is a former head coach at Hayfield High School in Minnesota. He also coached at Soroco High School in Oak Creek near Steamboat Springs.

TJ Pazell, who scored against Eaton in the state quarterfinals last season, returns for the state runner-up Wolverines this year, and the all-conference performer will help anchor the defense, too. He’ll get started tonight against Kirtland Central under the Friday Night Lights at Wolverine Country Stadium.

Steve Lewis/Durango Herald file photo

TJ Pazell, who scored against Eaton in the state quarterfinals last season, returns for the state runner-up Wolverines this year, and the all-conference performer will help anchor the defense, too. He’ll get started tonight against Kirtland Central under the Friday Night Lights at Wolverine Country Stadium.